Expect to pay a one-time fee to connect your solar system to the local grid, usually $75 to $300 for homes under 10 kilowatts (kW). If your area needs grid infrastructure upgrades (more common in rural locations), fees can exceed $500. Solar panels require very little upkeep. . Average price of solar modules, expressed in US dollars per watt, adjusted for inflation. Data source: IRENA (2025); Nemet (2009); Farmer and Lafond (2016) – Learn more about this data Note: Costs are expressed in constant 2024 US$ per watt. Global estimates are used before 2010; European market. . Each year, the U. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and its national laboratory partners analyze cost data for U. These benchmarks help measure progress toward goals for reducing solar electricity costs. . As of 2026, the average cost of residential solar panels in the U. is between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives. This typically translates to about $2. Your actual cost depends on your home's energy needs, roof characteristics, location and other factors, all of which we'll break down in. . Historic Low Pricing: Solar costs have reached unprecedented lows in 2025, with systems ranging from $2. To maximize savings, use your major appliances during off-peak hours and stagger major appliance usage during on-peak hours.